IN LIEU OF A TRADITIONAL DESSERT, TRY ONE OF HELEN’S FESTIVE ALTERNATIVES

Christmas desserts should always take on an element of glamour. Just like the glad rags we don for every festive party, bakes deserve to get an extra dose of fabulousness this time of year. For my Chr

MAKES 16-20 pieces PREP 20 mins plus 3 hrs chilling COOK 8 mins EASY 50g butter, plus extra for the tin400g blonde white chocolate (or use500g regular white chocolate),broken into pieces100g white cho

For those who think they don’t like trifle, forget rubbery jelly, soggy fruit, mushy sponge and sickly sweetness. We’ve omitted the jelly and used florentine between the layers for chewy crunch. Poach

■ Serves 10 ■ Prep 30 mins plus setting and overnight chilling ■ Cook 15 mins 4 tbsp custard powder2 tbsp caster sugar500ml double cream2 raspberry swiss rolls, cut into2cm-thick slices200g fresh or f

THIS MONTH Christmas cake